Wish he would have stuck around another year, rather than playing D-League. But probably good that he got himself paid while he had the chance.
Royce White headed to D-league??
- Thread starter isuchicago
- Start date
Craig was just a borderline NBA/D-League talent, like hundreds of other guys. Whether he stayed for his senior year or went out as a sophomore it wasn't going to change that. He was a soft, poor rebounding big man who didn't have an elite jump shot, hard to stick in the league like that He got a guaranteed deal for a lot of money and can make a good salary playing overseas now.
I don't understand where this "players can't improve beyond their sophomore year level" idea comes from. Many on CF have declared the same fate for Jared Barnett. If that was the case, why don't all players declare for the draft after their sophomore year?
They don't because the idea false. Players improve. If CB's skill level was such that he probably wasn't going to stick in the NBA as a junior, then how would it have hurt him to stay for his senior year? You don't think that Hoiberg could helped Brackins?
The overseas leagues will always be there. Why not take the opportunity in college ball to do whatever you can to insure a spot in the NBA?
I really felt Royce should have stayed another year to have CFH teach him to shoot a jumper and get used to the travel, although reality told me his family needed the money. Long term for his development and long term earnings, it would have been better.
He may be one of the dozens of other players who now has enough money to be motivated by things other than on-court performance. Even if he never signs another NBA contract he'll be fine, if he's smart. I think he considers himself a smart guy and it may be mission accomplished for him as far as basketball goes. I disagree with this line of thinking, if it's the case.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
You are correct. He has stated out loud on camera. He hasn't kept that a secret.
On to the D-League possibility---I don't have stats in front of me, but my impression is that a guy who starts spending time in the D-League is seen as a D-League player. Guys rarely break out of the D-League stigma. If that happens, he'll get his guarantee, but that's it.
Playing devil's advocate, I don't know why you don't think guys improve in the D-League. They get 50 games instead of 30. They get used to more travel with shorter turnarounds. They can focus on basketball and not worry about class. Claiming Craig Brackins needed to stay in school to get better facing double teams seems strange to me because I bet Craig is rarely going to see a double team in the NBA. I think there are players that need the added maturity that comes with another year of college and aren't ready for their first big paycheck, but from a basketball skills sense, I don't think it makes a big difference.
The D league is also fairly new. Teams are utilizing it more to develop players instead of just stashing mediocre talent there.
yes, the rockets sent a former Euro player there who just needs to beef up and learn some defense, Rocye needs to learn the scheme and gain confidence.
As mentioned earlier, for the most part, it's very difficult to get out of the D-League once you get in. The NBA analysts say that, and you can do your own research on web to see that. From what I've read and heard, the amount of actual "development" that goes on in D-League is not that great. I've heard the D-League practically characterized as more of a mechanism to sort out players so the NBA teams can quickly fill roster holes when they arise. The reason for staying in college it to improve yourself as much as possible so you don't get sent to the D-League in the first place.
It seems pretty obvious that this move to the D League is Houston putting it all on Royce to see if he commits himself to basketball. A wake-up moment. If he goes there and performs and shows he's focused on basketball then he'll be back up quickly and gets integrated into the Rockets. If he checks out with the Vipers then Houston checks out on him. Watershed moment already in Royce's young career. I hope he responds. I really do.
I wouldn't count Royce out. It doesn't look so good right now, but we certainly don't know all of what is going on. He has already shown himself to be a fantastic comeback player and I expect him to do it again. Granted, the NBA is more difficult, but when have we ever seen anyone like Royce? I would like to think that he will do it.
NBA people always knew that Royce would create some complications that they wouldn't encounter with other prospects. In my opinion, showing up out of shape and missing training camp tipped the balance from upside outweighing issues to issues outweigh upside.
Almost all NBA lottery picks do declare after their sophomore year or sooner. The guys who stay four years are only staying because they're borderline NBA talents, with very few exceptions.
I'm very concerned about this. I don't know how much Hoiberg put on the line championing Royce but if he allows his anxiety issues to get in the way of being able to play at all that'll reduce Fred's pull in the future. And Fred's NBA connections are a big part of his recruiting draw.
should have stuck around. Wasn't ready physically and mentally.
Speaks volumes when a person like Diante Garrett goes undrafted, goes to Europe, then earns a spot on the Suns roster, even getting some playing time when Kendall Marshall was a 1st round pick.
Shows you that one person thought worked his *** off (DG) while Royce thinks he already made it and comes to training camp out of shape? That's all I need to know.
The Rockets had a similar player in Terrance Williams who had issues. They cut him as soon as possible. Why won't they do it with Royce?
To be in the NBA, you got to have a passion for bball...I question is Royce cares at this point, or if he's just in it for anxiety awareness?
Speaks volumes when a person like Diante Garrett goes undrafted, goes to Europe, then earns a spot on the Suns roster, even getting some playing time when Kendall Marshall was a 1st round pick.
Shows you that one person thought worked his *** off (DG) while Royce thinks he already made it and comes to training camp out of shape? That's all I need to know.
The Rockets had a similar player in Terrance Williams who had issues. They cut him as soon as possible. Why won't they do it with Royce?
To be in the NBA, you got to have a passion for bball...I question is Royce cares at this point, or if he's just in it for anxiety awareness?